Cuomo calls for ‘crack down’ on guns, says Connecticut shooting should be a ‘wake-up call’

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2016, called for “aggressive action” to increase gun control in the wake of the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school Friday.

Cuomo expressed his condolences for the victims and their families in a statement posted on his website.

“I was shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School this morning in Newtown, Connecticut,” Cuomo said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the innocent victims – many of whom were young children – whose lives were claimed by this senseless and horrific act of violence. During times of such unthinkable tragedy, all New Yorkers stand together with the people of our neighboring state to grieve the loss of life and help bear the pain and anguish that will be felt by so many in the weeks, months, and years to come.”

He said it was time to tackle the issue of gun control.

“While we don’t have all the facts and our focus must be on the victims, this is yet another senseless and horrific act of violence involving guns. We as a society must unify and once and for all crack down on the guns that have cost the lives of far too many innocent Americans,” he said. “Let this terrible tragedy finally be the wake-up call for aggressive action and I pledge my full support in that effort.”

White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters earlier “today’s not that day” to have a discussion about gun control. In a press conference later, President Barack Obama said he would push for “meaningful action regardless of politics” in the wake of the shooting.

A number of other politicians who have issued statements on the shooting have stayed away from the issue of gun control, sticking to statements of condolences for the families and victims. Democratic Rep. George Miller of California also called for a “conversation” about how to prevent such attacks, and, as Buzzfeed reported, so did New York Democratic Rep. Jarrod Nadler.